Electrostatic recording apparatus and image density control method thereof

Abstract

In an electrostatic recording apparatus, a recording medium is transported to a vaporized solvent supply unit where a vaporized organic solvent is given to the recording surface of the recording medium. Then, the recording medium is transported to an electrostatic recording head where an electrostatic latent image is formed on the recording medium. Next, the recording medium is transported to a development processing unit where the development process of the electrostatic latent image using a liquid toner is performed.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An electrostatic recording apparatus comprising: 
       an electrostatic recording head for forming an electrostatic latent image on a recording medium;  
       development means for developing said electrostatic latent image using a liquid toner; and  
       toner aspiration means for sucking and collecting said liquid toner attached to said recording medium after the development, wherein  
       said toner aspiration means includes:  
       a first toner aspiration unit for sucking and collecting said liquid toner attached to an image formation region of said recording medium after the development; and  
       a second toner aspiration unit for sucking and collecting said liquid toner attached to opposite end of said recording medium after the development.  
     
     
       2. An electrostatic recording apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
       said first toner aspiration unit includes a first suction chamber in a bottom of which a first opening is provided, and a first suction pump coupled to said first suction chamber via said first opening, and  
       said second toner aspiration unit includes a second suction chamber in a bottom of which a second opening is provided, a third suction chamber in a bottom of which a third opening is provided, and a second suction pump coupled to said second suction chamber via said second opening and coupled to said third suction chamber via said third opening.  
     
     
       3. An electrostatic recording apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said first suction chamber is larger than said second and third suction chambers. 
     
     
       4. An electrostatic recording apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein 
       said first toner aspiration unit includes a first suction chamber in a bottom of which a first opening is provided, and a first suction pump coupled to said first suction chamber via said first opening, and  
       said second toner aspiration unit includes a second suction chamber in a bottom of which a second opening is provided, a second suction pump coupled to said second suction chamber via said second opening, a third suction chamber in a bottom of which a third opening is provided, and a third suction pump coupled to said third suction chamber via said third opening.  
     
     
       5. An electrostatic recording apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said first suction chamber is larger than said second and third suction chambers. 
     
     
       6. An electrostatic recording apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrostatic recording apparatus is an electrostatic recording apparatus of single path scheme for forming a color image on said recording medium, in said electrostatic recording apparatus of single path scheme a serial combination of a necessary number of recording units for forming said color image are provided, each said recording unit including said electrostatic recording head, said development means and said toner aspiration means. 
     
     
       7. An electrostatic recording apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein toner exhaust grooves are respectively formed in surface portions at opposite ends of said recording head as brought into slidable contact with said recording medium. 
     
     
       8. An electrostatic recording apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said toner exhaust grooves are provided at outside locations of a position alignment mark formed on said recording medium along a width of said recording medium. 
     
     
       9. An electrostatic recording apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said toner exhaust grooves include a groove provided in parallel to a transport direction of said recording medium. 
     
     
       10. An electrostatic recording apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said toner exhaust grooves include a groove provided in parallel to a transport direction of said recording medium. 
     
     
       11. An electrostatic recording apparatus comprising: 
       an electrostatic recording head for forming an electrostatic latent image on a recording medium;  
       development means for developing said electrostatic latent image by use of a liquid toner; and  
       toner aspiration means for sucking and collecting said liquid toner attached to said recording medium after the development, wherein  
       toner exhaust grooves are respectively formed on surface portions at opposite ends of said recording head in slidable contact with said recording medium.  
     
     
       12. An electrostatic recording apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said toner exhaust grooves are provided outside of a position alignment mark formed on said recording medium along a width of said recording medium. 
     
     
       13. An electrostatic recording apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said toner exhaust grooves include a groove provided in parallel to a transport direction of said recording medium. 
     
     
       14. An electrostatic recording apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said toner exhaust grooves include a groove provided in parallel to a transport direction of said recording medium.